Last night we saw an ad for Publisher’s Clearinghouse. They had a contest with a prize of 2.6 million dollars. I wondered what that would be after taxes. Our guesstimate was it would be $650,000 because the tax rate would be 75%.

“The more you make, the more they take.”

The sacrifices in the tabernacle were what you could afford: a bull, a ram, 2 turtle-doves, or 2 young pigeons. It didn’t matter what you brought each man had to lay his hand on the head of the animal, slit its neck, and see its life drain away. He would know that animal died because of his sin.

Leviticus 1:4, 5, “Then he shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. And he shall slaughter the bull before the Lord…” Modern English Version

* * * * * * * *

“Atonement – To appease wrath, remove sin, and reconcile with God.” Modern English Version Text Note

We are no longer required to make blood sacrifices because Christ willingly died to pay the price – once for all, (see Romans 6:10; 1 Peter 3:18; Hebrews 9:28).

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My sister brought me 2 gifts yesterday: 1 was practical and 1 was pretty. The first gift was a 3 tier baking rack. You can cook 3 casseroles along with your Thanksgiving turkey! (I’ve wanted one for years.) The other box contained Thanksgiving decorations.

David immediately said, “You don’t need any more Thanksgiving decorations!”

He doesn’t understand how I enjoy making pretty tablescapes for Thanksgiving. But God does.

When God gave the instructions for building the tabernacle he used weaving, embroidery, metalwork, and even perfumery! He understands when I want another black scarf with a different trim.

Exodus 39:24-26, “They made on the hems of the robe pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet, and twisted linen. 

25 They made bells of pure gold and put the bells between the pomegranates all around on the hem of the robe.

26 There was a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, all around about the hem of the robe to be used in service, just as the Lord commanded Moses.” 

Modern English Version

God was the first fashion designer!

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God is the God of second chances. 2 Peter 3:9 tells us He doesn’t want any to miss out. Today, Moses was given a second chance but we see he had to work harder the second time.

Exodus 34:1, “Now the Lord said to Moses, ‘Cut out for yourself two tablets of stone like the first, and I will write on these tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke.’ ” Modern English Version

God carved the first tablets out of stone for Moses, see Exodus 31:18. Moses had to carve out the second set himself.

It’s time to get up, eat breakfast, and get ready for church. (I’m having blueberry muffins!) Don’t put it off. It will be much harder next week.

“God can’t bless you beyond your last act of obedience.” facebook.com/thewordforyoutodayusa

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The year after I graduated was difficult. I contracted mononucleosis and then pneumonia. I practically slept the year away. When I felt well enough to go anywhere, I was always the fifth wheel.

I was sure that was not God’s plan. In Genesis 2:18, He said, “It’s not good that the man should be alone.” (Modern English Version) But sometimes God does plan for a fifth.

Exodus 26:9, “You shall join five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves….” Modern English Version

It was a trying year for David, too. He went through Basic Training between his junior and senior year. At the beginning of his senior year, he prayed a special prayer.

“Dear Lord, Please give me a football scholarship or send me a girl.”

God gave him both!

Unfortunately, the football scholarship was not enough to cover tuition at that private college. When football season ended, he met me. I moved to town right before school started.

We each spent that year getting closer to God. When we both had given up on our dreams and surrendered fully to God, He brought us together.

If you are single, it could be God’s design. God told Jeremiah he would not marry, see Jeremiah 16:1, 2. Paul never married, see 1 Corinthians 7:8.

If you desire to marry, get closer to God. Maybe you can’t find your mate because they are closer to God than you are.

Relationships are a triangle. The closer you get to God, the closer you become to each other.

That verse in Genesis confirms that God does not want us alone. He connected the fifth curtain to 4 others. During your time of singleness, look for 4 or more people with which to “hang out.”

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I finally finished unpacking yesterday. I returned from my trip at midnight on Tuesday. It should not take six days to unpack 1 suitcase!

I just didn’t have the energy. I worked very hard preparing for my trip, but since I returned, I’ve not accomplished anything. My mind says, “Go clean the house” and my body says, “Turn on the TV!”

It’s more than the trip that tired me out. It was the Sundays.

Normally on Sunday, I get a good workout setting up and tearing down the keyboards. I eat lunch, put on my pajamas, and go to bed.

“It’s never too early to put on your pajamas.” Rachel Wonderlich, 2015

That’s it. I nap, watch a movie, and read. I leave my phone in the office and even ignore Facebook! My Fitbit rests next to my phone. It goes off every hour telling me to “Get Moving” but I can’t hear it in the bedroom.

I missed my day of rest on the Sunday before the trip. We had a birthday dinner. (When I say “day of rest” I mean relaxing until Monday morning.) There was very little rest on our trip and last Sunday was the Nursing Home Service and Connect Group.

Usually, on the weekend of the Nursing Home Service, I make Saturday my “day of rest.” Not this month, David wanted to go out of town to look at recliners. (I jump at any excuse to get a night off from cooking!) I thought about crashing yesterday, but I had a funeral and library books that were due.

God didn’t tell us to rest on the Sabbath because He is mean. He designed our bodies to work for 6 days and to recharge on the 7th day.

Exodus 20:9, 10, “Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath…” Modern English Version

Looking at my calendar, I see an appointment on this Sunday. I guess Saturday will be my “day of rest.” I may take two days this week. My birthday is Friday and I already blacked it out on my schedule!

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I read somewhere that Hur was Miriam’s husband. I checked a few places and couldn’t find the source. But it reminded me that you can not only depend on your family, you can rely on your in-laws.

When I went to the ER before my emergency gallbladder surgery, it was my sister-in-law who took me. (My husband went to a meeting and shut off his phone!) When she was in the ER a few months ago, I went and sat with her.

Moses never would have reached the promised land if his father-in-law had not advised him to spread the responsibilities out. He was spending all day listening to disputes.

We also want to be a dependable in-law. When a load gets heavy, go along and lend support. God watches for helpers. Hur was not only an in-law, he was a helper.

Exodus 17:12, “But Moses’ hands became heavy. So they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. And his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.” Modern English Version

When God was ready to build the tabernacle, one of the men he chose was Hur.

“…Hur who was a son of Caleb and the grandfather of Bezalel (see 1 Chronicles 2:19-20), one of the builders of the tabernacle (see 31:2-5).” New International Version Study Bible Notes.

Today, we said goodbye to  Everett. When my father-in-law passed away, Everett said he would adopt us. He sat in the third row and was always kind and caring.

David couldn’t get off of work for the funeral. Who do you think I called? That’s right – my sister-in-law! Shout out to Melinda! She’s my helper!

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I tried to think of an example I could safely share about today’s verse but I would get in trouble with my family! It’s hard to say nothing when you are unjustly accused, overlooked, or even ignored. Sometimes, the easiest way to resolve a problem is by saying nothing.

Exodus 14:14, “The Lord shall fight for you, while you hold your peace.” Modern English Version

Are you tired of fighting? Hold your peace and let God fight for you!

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